Came to Zaytinya for lunch and it was perfect. Didn't make a reservation for a party of 3 on a Tuesday, and we were able to walk in no problem. Love the vibe, aesthetic and ambiance of the restaurant. Our service was quick, kind, and frequent. I ordered the Salmon Duru that came with a side salad. It was flavorful and a great size. It was refreshing and the perfect meal for lunch. I tried half of a chicken one as well which was tasty! I wish they had a bit of sauce on them as my only critique. Can't wait to come back and try more of their menu read more

Zaytinya - salmon duru - Greek Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Tried the charred eggplant pide, hommus ma lahm, grilled lamb chops, and mushroom kapnista. All were so flavorful and made with fresh ingredients. Everything tasted incredible. The lamb chops especially stood out. They had just the right amount of meat on the bone, perfectly cooked, and not dry at all. My mouth was watering the whole time, and it was honestly hard not to overeat! The place was packed, but the vibe was great. Loved the outdoor seating with heaters, and the presentation of each dish was beautiful. Definitely worth a visit! read more

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When we come to DC we always have a meal (lunch or dinner) at Zaytinya...seems like we started coming here in 2002-2003 ?!?! Small plates have always been unique, tasty, and presented well. Service can be a bit variable at times but always professional and courteous. Nice wine selection and mocktails are very good, too. Ambience: A really uplifting and bright interior and good place to 'pause' during a busy day. read more

Took advantage of a precious extended restaurant week and finally tried out @zaytinya in @downtowndcbid and I think I have a new favorite @chefjoseandres restaurant! I may be coming back every single night for the shrimp in the most perfect dill and lemon sauce with shallots and mustard, and the cumin beef meatballs in tomato sauce with cinnamon, feta and capers Close seconds in favoritism were both the hummus with garlic, tahini, and harissa chili crisp and possibly the best falafel I've ever had with turmeric pickles, cherry tomatoes, and tahini We also enjoyed the watermelon and feta salad, cheese pide and ground lamb kebab! The Greek yogurt with apricots and olive oil cake with orange blossom cream were sweet finishes read more

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No chewy octopus here! Everything was well cooked. Servers were attentive and personable. The music was a bit fast compared to the vibe but otherwise was nice. Not pictured but just as delicious was the hummus with lamb, and the 3 cheese board. read more

Zaytinya - Turkish Coffee Chocolate Cake Greek Yogurt with Apricots - Greek Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Came for dinner on Sunday night and It was packed. Our server seemed to have one too many tables and was unable to stay on top of everything. We had to ask for water refills and waited a while for a dessert menu. The food was great and always is delicious. Stars were the beans, mushrooms, lamb, and the coffee cake dessert. read more

Zaytinya - Greek Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Our return visit to Zaytinya did not disappoint. What stood out was the incredible staff Knowledgeable and willing to take the time to explain and educate me, who has very little experience with the Mediterranean dishes served here. Each dish was exceptional, our son and his girlfriend did all the ordering, so we just had to sit back and enjoy each dish. The experience of not being well versed in this style of food was exciting! Glad I approached the opportunity with an open mind which made for a beautiful dining experience. Thank you Zaytinya, looking forward to a return visit. read more

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One location of a nation-wide small-plate Mediterranean restaurant owned by Jose Andres I came here with a party of 4 on a Saturday night and the place was popping! It is a stylish place, but given the size of the space and the amount of patrons that they accommodate this also made it very loud. I happened to come during restaurant week, so we got a ton of dishes for not a bad price. The dishes were solid, my favorite being the brussel sprouts, but nothing that blew me away. I got the "3 PM in Istambul" cocktail which was great however. A large bar section as well The place is on the "InKind" app, so you can save 20% read more

Came here to celebrate a birthday and got a reservation through open table. It was very convenient and quick to get in and seated. The interior had good lighting, it was still daylight when we dined for dinner. We ordered a few different items including Hunkar Begendi, Mushroom Kapnista, Lamb Baharat, Spanakopita, Bone Marrow Kibbeh, Kolokithokeftedes. Our favorite was the lamb baharat, we enjoyed the tabbouleh and charred tomato that came with the lamb slices. The bone marrow kibbeh was ok but didn't have the richness that I was looking for from the bone marrow. The mushrooms were super Smokey flavored but it was a pretty big serving and mushrooms were nicely cooked. The hunkar begendi was like a lamb pot roast, the lamb was super tender. The last two were ok. Servers were good and if you look like you're going to finish your bread...they'll bring you another one. read more

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Celebrated my birthday at Zaytinya and it completely delivered. We started with the Hommus Ma Lahm and the Egg and Pastrima Pide. The hummus was silky and rich with spiced lamb, pine nuts, mint, and house pickled vegetables that kept it balanced. The pide was comforting but refined, with airy dough and a perfectly runny egg that tied it all together. The grilled octopus was tender with a beautiful char, and the branzino was fantastic. Perfectly crisp skin over celery root skordalia with almonds and capers adding texture and brightness. Honestly the only downside was wishing there was a little more of it because it was that good. They surprised me with a complimentary birthday dessert, which was such a thoughtful touch. Service was warm, friendly, and genuinely attentive, and the energy felt lively but polished. Perfect spot for a celebration. Would absolutely go back. read more

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The food was so good and I was so hungry I forgot to take a picture :(!! No, but seriously, my husband, two friends, and I went to Zaytinya for Winter Restaurant Week and were blown away. The quality of the food and the portions were fantastic. I enjoyed the main courses - particularly the lamb chop and kabob. The Brussel sprouts and the beet salad were delicious. The dessert (we all ordered the olive oil cake) was not life changing but good for the restaurant week menu! The service was superb and we never had to ask for water refills - because they always were attentive to our table, so that felt great. It wasn't too dark and the restaurant has large windows which makes the ambiance nice and not stuffy. read more

I hate to give a mid review but Zaytinya's brunch did not blow me away. I would like to return and try the dinner small plates for sure but wouldn't come back for brunch. Love the complimentary flatbread and olive oil to start! I ordered the chicken shakshuka and brunch fries. The shakshuka portion was pretty small and the brunch fries portion was a little too big! They were crispy and hot and the egg and yogurt dip was really good. Unfortunately the shakshuka egg whites weren't fully cooked and there were a couple small chicken bones still in there. My service was excellent and I thought prices were reasonable, this just wasn't the best visit. I'll def give it another try for dinner! read more

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I loved this restaurant. Everything was amazing, but my favorite was a special they had that was like a tartare. It came with little lettuce cups to eat like mini tacos. The Turkish coffee chocolate cake and the baba ganoush would complete the top three. read more

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This was the best food I've had in a while. The "It's 5:00 in Istanbul" (or something like that) cocktail was so special. I ordered two tapas plates and loved them both. The goat cheese, beet salad was amazing. I ate the homemade naan bread and angels sang a chorus. Busy place. I went on a Sunday, their busy brunch day, so service was a little insane. After waiting a long time, they gave my order to someone else. I had to wait even longer, so I was frustrated. However, the bartender comped my beverage, so that was nice. I want to go back! read more

Zaytinya is always a win, but this visit was especially memorable. I came here for a date and the entire experience was effortlessly romantic--from the warm lighting and lively yet intimate ambiance to the incredible food and service. We shared a bottle of Lebanese red wine that was excellent and paired beautifully with everything that followed. The three-dip spread (hummus, tzatziki, and labneh) was creamy, flavorful, and the perfect way to start the evening. The Adana kebab was tender and well-spiced, and the Brussels sprouts afelia were absolutely delicious--one of those dishes you keep talking about long after the plate is cleared. Service was attentive, smooth, and perfectly timed, which made it easy to relax and enjoy the moment. Zaytinya has mastered that balance of vibrant energy and cozy charm that makes it ideal for date night or special occasions. The food, the wine, the ambiance--and yes, the date--were all a success. One of my favorite spots in DC for a reason. read more

Zatinya obviously doesn't need my review, but I feel a personal duty to write one. I've been wanting to visit this Jose Andres outpost for a year and I'm so glad my partner and I finally made it! The service was fantastic and the tasting menu is an unbelievable deal at 85pp. When we sat down, we asked if we choose one dish from each section, but the waiter told us we get every dish. I was absolutely gobsmacked. We ended up each getting the tasting menu and wine pairing and were so glad we did! The food was delicious! The restaurant itself is kind of huge? It has multiple seating areas and is thoughtfully decorated. We will definitely be back! read more

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We came here for dinner. The food here is amazing! It's truly a diverse menu, ranging from Lebanese to Turkish, and I have to say everything was done really well, with each dish holding up its own unique flavor. My one quip was that the dishes came out too quickly and all at once. If I had known, I would have ordered a few things at a time and paced myself. But that's a good problem to have. I glad to see that this concept is being scaled. It deserves it! read more

I enjoyed dinner here with one of my friend after an event and we enjoyed our experience. They have an extensive outdoor seating area and it's so cute. We sat outside and enjoy a bunch of small plates and drinks. Service was great, super kind and helpful. I definitely would come back here with my family to celebrate someone's birthday or any special occasion. read more

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There are so many great restaurants in Penn Quarters that we haven't been able to come here for a while. We finally made it for a week day lunch. The food, the presentation, the textures and the flavors were a feast for all senses. We really enjoyed the meal and we will be back. read more

Zaytinya - FALAFEL DURUM - Greek Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Super stoked to try it since there's so many outstanding reviews about this place! Went for an early dinner, + realized once we ordered an entree it's more of a tapas place, as the portions were really small. GORGEOUS ambiance + best chicken kabob we've ever had just wish there was more. They just opened in Vegas last week so will def try it out now that I know it's more of a tapas place + need to order more entrees. Their bread with pomegranate molasses (I think) was amazing! Walnut ice cream was not good lol Again, BEAUTIFUL restaurant. Will def try the one in Vegas, can't wait. read more

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I'm in Washington often, this part of the city in particular, and I'm surprised I have never visited Zaytinya before as Mediterranean food is one of my favorites. I'm a vegetarian and there is so much in this cuisine for me. A friend recommended this spot and, after wrapping up business a little earlier than expected one evening, I went walking around the Chinatown neighborhood and found it, right across the street from the National Portrait Gallery. I hadn't made a reservation but figured for one person I should be able to sit at the bar or outdoors. They told me indoors was booked until 9 PM but I could sit on the patio. It was hot but the patio is covered and that worked for me. It's all small plates, which I love for variety, and you can either order the chef's tasting menu, which curates a variety of the plates (and a wine pairing, if you choose to add it) per person, or you can freestyle, with a suggested three small plates per person. I knew I wanted the crispy Brussels sprouts, which my friend had recommended, and the hommus. For my third plate I was torn between the falafel and seared halloumi, which I frequently get at a place back home. I asked my server for his recommendation and he said definitely the halloumi, making a chef's kiss gesture. I then asked for his suggestion on nonalcoholic drinks, and he told me the ones made in house are the cucumber mint cooler and the lemontha. I went with the lemonade style latter and was very happy with that choice. I could not have been more happy with all of my choices. My friend was right about the Brussels sprouts. They were perfectly crispy and might have been the best Brussels I have ever ordered, and I order them everywhere. They have coriander seeds, barberries and garlic yogurt, which makes them complex and unusual. The hommus was so full of flavors, including harissa chili crisp which made it unusual. The bread they served with that, along with the complimentary mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, was puffy in presentation and light and fluffy in taste and texture. It made it easy to eat a lot of your dips without feeling weighed down. The halloumi, served in a sour cherry and pistachio mixture, might have been the star plate. It was the smallest portion of the dishes with just two smallish pieces, so if you're feeding more than two people this won't go far, but the cheese was perfectly seared, and piling on the cherries and pistachios and their juices to eat it was positively sublime. Sometimes when you're a solo diner you're made to feel less than, and my server couldn't have been kinder. He was warm and attentive, not only providing informed suggestions but making sure throughout that I was happy with my selections and enjoying my evening. At the end of the meal he asked if he could bring me a dessert menu or if I was full, and I had really made a significant dent in all of the dishes, nearly finishing everything, and unfortunately didn't have room for anything else. I went home very full and happy, and I will definitely return here during future visits. What a gem. read more

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Really nice setting and interior with lots of energy but the food is average at best. The hummus is tastier from Sabras at the grocery store. The lab kebab was way overcooked. I enjoyed the brunch fries and the scallops. Tabooleh was bland and the octopus average. Cheese plate wasn't worth it. Mild and dry. read more

Been coming here for many years just to have the dessert and the amazing delicacy at Jose Andres Zaytinya. The place still retain its vibrant feel with open floor plan and being situated near Smithsonian's that is walking distance. We ordered the lamb shoulder which comes with tzatziki and spicy spread with the unlimited pita breads. Had the regular salad and octopus dish. I would suggest the octopus need to be cooked more thoroughly since it was a bit too chewy. Our waitress was super attentive even with the full house and the other waiters were helpful in making sure we get water and bread. I wanted to try their summer turnover dessert and it wasn't to disappoint! I just wish the Culver City Zaytinya in LA can improve and be just as wonderful as here! read more

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I was able to dine here during a work convention a few weeks ago. It lived up to the hype. The food was served family style and every single small plate came out and they kept getting better and better. The service was attentive and the ambiance was just like you would expect from Greece. It was as if I was whisked away to Greece for the evening. The food was very authentic and delicious. read more

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Always love Zaytinya! Went for the first time in years this weekend and really enjoyed the vibes. It was a Saturday evening and they quickly sat us outside on their very shaded patio! The patio was very nice and I enjoyed sitting there with the shade. Inside appeared to be mostly reservations! We got several things to share- the Labneh dip, the watermelon salad, crispy eggplant and falafel. The small plates style was great! I really liked the Labneh dip and the watermelon salad was so refreshing on the hot day. The falafel was ok, but I liked the tahini spread it came with! read more

Zaytinya - Greek Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Immediately lost a point for the mediocre service at the bar. Disappointing. Their bread is fresh and delicious. With oil and balsamic, it's perfect. The lamb pita was fantastic. Delicious flavors, nice portion. The spanikopita was beautifully displayed, but slight on flavor. I would have given the restaurant 3.5 stars if that was an option. read more

We LOVE Zaytinya. The food is always incredible and we love going with a group to share. There are plenty of vegetarian options and the restaurant is beautiful. Service is always great. They also have great mixed drinks and wine. read more

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We came here during lunch time and it was really crowded but fortunately three of us were able to get seated fairly quickly. The service was wonderful, our waiter was really friendly and the other staff was super attentive with refilling water and the complimentary bread. The complimentary bread was so delicious and fluffy. So warm, fresh, and delicious. We tried three different spreads: lebeneh, tzaiki, and baba ghanoush. The levened was by far the best. It had that sour flavor that is addictive eand the cream cheese like smooth firm texture. The other so were also good, but I'd put the baba ghanoush slightly higher. The tzaiki was good but definely not the best I've had. I got the Octupus and it was phenomenal. Cooked and seasoned perfectly. I also got the sausage pide, That also was very good and heated up well. The egg on it was not strong or noticeable but created a little creaminess to it. I also had the lemonade and that was definely the best lemonade I ever had. It was fresh and light and not overly sweet. read more

Zaytinya - lemonade - Greek Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Had a lovely dinner here! Between the two of us, we orders six of the dishes and it was plenty with a little leftover to take home. The spanakopita and the chicken youvetsi were the biggest standouts for me, both really delicious! Friendly and quick service as well! It's a busy place so definitely make a reservation. read more

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If you're craving good Mediterranean food, this is the spot! Zaytinya is an upscale Mediterranean restaurant that has excellent service. Make sure to book a reservation before coming though because this place will have a line. When we first got there we were seated outside, however after about 30 minutes it got really chilly so we asked to be moved inside. What was awesome was that even though they were busy, they were able to get us seats at the bar fairly quickly. In terms of food, it was all excellent! We ordered their kebab platter as the main course and their Hommus as the appetizer. The Hommus was packed full of flavor and was delicious. And the meat on the kebab platter was so juicy. My favorite was their chicken and their lamb because they were seasoned so well and the meat was super tasty but honestly all of the meat was great. The bread was fresh and crispy and it was endless. Overall this place is great and I would highly recommend if you're going on a date or just wanting to spend time with family and friends. read more

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My friend and I enjoyed our post-show ('Sister Act' at Ford's Theater -- must see!) dinner. What we had: HUMMUS FALAFEL SHISH TAOUK (CHICKEN SKEWER) SALMON Impeccable service and presentation/plating. Everything was fresh delicious. Definitely a vibe, as the young folks like to say. Everything is just so pretty. The furniture, the dècor. All of it. This was my first visit. I made reservations several weeks ago (thank goodness because this place was JUMPING -- inside and outside!) Something to keep in mind should you wish to visit. __ I eat. @f.hux I thrift. @DCthriftish read more

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Zaytinya is a solid spot to fix your Mediterranean cravings. Obviously Jose Andres restaurants aren't cheap, but they really nail all the food and the cocktails at this one. I've been 3 times now and can't wait to go again. They automatically bring you freshly baked pita and olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The baba ghannouge is seriously some of the best baba ghannouge that exists, nice and smokey but super super smooth. I also love the crispy Brussels sprouts, the garlic yogurt really makes that dish pop. This last time we go the chicken youvetsi, which was almost like a red sauce pasta, and fantastic. We also got the lam kleftiko, which was a star (but I forgot to photograph). Service is always spectacular. The seating areas can be bustling and loud, so be prepared for a busy busy restaurant, but the food comes out at a very quick pace and servers take amazing care of their tables. Looking forward to the next time I'm there. read more

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Tag team - back again! Had such a great meal Saturday, we went back last night again! We upgraded to the Kebab platter and were blown away by each of the meat preparations and seasonings, alone the accompanying sauces and dips were a trim of heaven! Had to order the cheese again, and the dates did not disappoint - still the best I've ever had. Our large group sat outside and staff went out of their way to keep us warm and fed. Ended with an Ouzo toast; while there were no broken plates, there was a celebration of our feast! Can't wait to return on my next trip to DC. read more

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This establishment has quickly become one of my favorite spots. I originally stumbled upon it during the federal government shutdown, when they were generously serving free lunch to federal employees with an ID. That gesture alone left a strong impression, but the food and service made me a loyal customer. There's plenty of seating, both at the bar and in the dining area, and each time I've visited I've been seated immediately. On my most recent visit, the waiter brought out warm, piping-hot bread paired with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette, simple but incredibly delicious. My meal came with a beautifully balanced salad featuring cucumbers, pomegranate, tomatoes, and crunchy bread bites. It was fresh, flavorful, and a perfect start. I ordered the lamb pita, and it was absolutely amazing. The lamb was cooked to perfection, the bread was soft, and the sauce tied everything together perfectly. I highly recommend this place, not just for the quality of the food but for the consistently great service. read more

Zaytinya - Greek Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We had heard great things about Zaytinya so made a reservation for a nice evening out. Even with a reservation, there was a little bit of a wait. Once we were seated, service was good. Our server may have been a little annoyed with us since we were having trouble making decisions. There were a lot of choices. Also very clear winners: the avgolemano with the soft boiled egg - absolutely amazing with its hearty lemony flavor and orzo. The scallops were perfectly seared. Also the branzino was nice too. The server who brings around fresh hot bread refills - he was the best! read more

Zaytinya - So many delicious tapas to share - Greek Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I have always loved Zaytinya, for the quality of the food and drinks, but I also love all of José Andrés restaurants for their support of DC and willingness to give back. I recently stopped in for the free lunch for government workers, and was so pleasantly surprised that it was a full size falafel durum and fattoush. The meal was great and filling and was a wonderful treat for my coworkers and I to enjoy something nice in the midst of a shutdown. read more

Zaytinya - Falafel Durum - Greek Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Trivia: This will probably not apply to you, ever, but this delightful restaurant is just a short 5-7 minute walk from Mary Surrat's boarding house turned restaurant. Unless you're on a tour of Lincoln's assassination squad. Yes, I said squad. Who is Mary Surrat? Why is she famous? And what restaurant is her boarding house now? - - Started with an Ankara Rye and the cumin flavor definitely pops. Spanakopita was 10/10. Delicious. Very VERY tasty. Two small plates are plenty for a normal appetite. The flatbreads will wow you with their flavors, their hotness from the oven, and how filling they are. Excellent service. Came for a late lunch and though we were dressed down a little bit and the place definitely has some glam to it, we were seated and attended to just as much as the suit wielding DC-ites. read more

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Went here on a busy Thursday night around 6 where they said the wait would be about toe hours but last minute squeezed us into a table. Favorites included the hummus, spanikopita, and Adana kebab. The pita is hit and plentiful for all of the dips. The food came out relatively slowly but water glasses were kept full. The food was very good but not the best Mediterranean I've had. read more

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Delicious, fresh Mediterranean tapas style food with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Great for groups and an office favorite! I've been coming for 2 decades! The fluffy warm pita just melts in your mouth! We had a great team lunch with a special fixed 4 course menu. The crispy brussel sprouts, warm falafels, hummus, tzatziki yogurt sauce were light and yet filling. The fluffy and fresh pita was perfect for mopping up the hummus and tzatziki and paired really well with the meal. The Cucumber Mint juice was refreshing! The Greek Yogurt with Apricot was sweet and tangy with the ice cream, crushed pistachios, and apricot sauce. The Turkish Coffee Chocolate Cake Souffle was divine with ganache filling. It was the perfect sweet ending to our meal, although we were all quite stuffed before we even made it to dessert! The service is always a bit slow as it took 45 min to get to the 3rd course. It's a leisurely dining experience. Group lunches take over 1.5 hours and would aim for the 2 hour mark. It's quite pricey for the tapas style food and a great work lunch/dinner spot! read more

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The food was amazing. And, I was dining with a gluten-free guest, they had a totally separate menu addressing what would be allergen friendly. We sat outside and it was still pleasant even in February with amply heaters, etc. The fresh warm pita (for me, the gluten eater) was delightful. Highly recommend the Lamb Baharat - the dip it is served with is amazing. We also really loved the spicy goat cheese spread. I also got the octopus, it was a little tough, but that ingredient is so hard to get right. I'm only dinging one star because while the service was so friendly, on a busy friday night, they seemed stretched thin and hard to flag down.... we were ordering course by course because we were sharing plates, and after our apps were served it was hard to find someone to give our entree order to. We sat there for quite a while. read more